Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Bilbao Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
A man saw me and asked me if I was thinking to sleep there, and informed me that the airport close at night I had to go out. – k1k
BIO Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Bilbao Airport.
What to Expect
The passenger facilities at Bilbao Airport (code: BIO) consist of a clean, modern three-level terminal building housing 14 gates, a duty-free store, and a half dozen shops and equal number of eateries, most on the airside. WiFi is available to help pass the time. For additional comfort economy class passengers can access a private lounge for a fee. See Airport Lounges in the guide below.
Sleeping in Bilbao Airport
Most travellers who attempt to spend the night at this airport are doing so to catch an early morning flight. Because the airport terminal closes for the night, travellers spend the night in the lower level rental car lobby inside the parking garage. The lobby includes benches with armrest and has a restroom. As it is attached to the garage, the lobby is known for its cold temperatures, so make sure to bring some extra layers or a travel blanket/sleeping bag. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
Covid-19 Update
Some airport reviews and tips in this guide and elsewhere on the site were written before March 2020 and may no longer be valid. To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.
For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Bilbao Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
- VIP Lounge – Location: Airside, Mezzanine Level, accessible to passengers with Schengen and Non-Schengen flights. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Bilbao Airport Lounges
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Bilbao Airport:
With Covid restrictions constantly changing, we recommend that you confirm shuttle availability prior to booking and/or prior to your arrival.
- Holiday Inn Express Bilbao Airport – The free airport shuttle runs every 20 minutes during the hours 5:30AM to 11:15PM. The pick-up is on the departure level of the terminal. » Check Rates
- Hotel New Bilbao Airport – Located 500m from the airport. Free airport shuttle is available, must be pre-booked. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Bilbao Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport WiFi/Internet
Free unlimited WiFi is available at Bilbao Airport. Connect to “AIRPORT FREE WIFI AENA” using your email, Facebook, LinkedIn or AENA Club login information.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Departure Hall, Floor 3 • Arrival Hall, Floor 3 • Arrival Hall, Floor 1.
Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play area. Location: Arrivals Hall, Floor 1.
Duty Free and Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available airside on Floor 3 (Departures) from 7:00AM – 8:00PM. A limited variety of retail shops and newsstands are available both landside and airside on Floor 3 including Hub and Relay convenience shops.
Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. Food options include:
- Landside: MasQMenos (Floor 1, Arrivals) • Santa Gloria (Floor 3, Departures)
- Airside: Arrese (Floor 3, Departures) • Burger King (Floor 3, Departures) • Enrique Tomas • Foodies • Hub • Leku Ona • San Miguel Exploring the World • Quick Health • Starbucks (Floor 3, Departures) • Yandiola (Floor 3, Departures).
Information Desks – Locations: Floor 1, Baggage Reclaim Hall • Floor 3, Check-In Hall.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.
Luggage Wrapping – Safebag luggage wrapping machine is located in the Check-In Hall on Floor 3.
Mobile Charging – A reader (October 2018) tells us that Landside (to the left in the main hall) you will find an area to charge your phone. Airside head to the Tap Station where you charge your phone will have food or a drink.
Police – Location: unknown
Post Office Box – Location: Floor 3, Landside, Check-in Hall
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers – Not available.
SIM Cards – A reader tells us “The best place to get a sim card is in Central Bilbao. You will always pay more at the airport.” (February 2023)
Airport Hours
The airport is open from 4:45AM – 9:30PM (Summer Season) • 5:45AM – 10:30PM (Winter Season).
Airlines
Bilbao airport is served by the following airlines: Aegean Airlines • Aer Lingus • Air Arabia Maroc • Air Europa • Air France • Air Nostrum • Brussels Airlines • EasyJet • Easyjet Switzerland • Edelweiss Air AG • Enter Air • Eurowings • Jetair Aps • Iberia • KLM • Lufthansa • Norwegian Air • TAP Air Portugal • Transavia France • Transavia • Turkish Airlines • Volotea • Vueling Airlines.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Bus
Bizkaibus Line A3247 connects Bilbao airport to Gran Vía 79, Plaza Moyua Alameda Recalde 11 and the Bus Terminal. The bus leaves the airport every 15 minutes from 6:15AM – 12:00PM The bus fare is €3.00 (€1.14 with Barik card).
The Pesa bus company provides connects the airport to Zarautz and San Sebastián. The bus fare is €14.80 (Zarautz) and €17.10 (San Sebastián). This service operates daily (except weekend and holidays, 1 departure only at 6:45AM) from 7:45AM – 11:45PM departing the airport every hour.
Transportation from the airport to Arrasate, Bergara and Eibar. Buses depart from the airport several times a day: 6:45AM• 9:45AM • 12:45PM • 3:45PM• 7:15PM • 11:15PM.
Bus pick-up stops are located on the Departures and Arrivals Levels of the airport. For more information, visit the Bilbao Airport website.
Car Rentals
Onsite car rental agencies include Avis • Enterprise Rent-A-Car • Europcar • Hertz • Sixt. Location: Car Park P1.
Hotel Shuttles
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Taxis are available at the taxi stand located on the 1st floor, just outside of the terminal. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required. At the time of this update, a ride to the city center will cost approximately 24.00€ – 29.00€.
Last updated: 2022-10-28
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, are subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers and their web sites. We are not representatives of any of the above mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.
